Mole trap



1950 c. E. TROUTMAN 2,525,383

MOLE TRAP Filed March 30, 1946 INVENTOR J W T-r ip' Patented Oct. 10,1956 UNI TED S TAT ES PATENT OFFICE MOLE 1m. Chester E. Troutman,Sylvania, Ohio Application March 30, 1946, Serial No. 658,389

1 Claim.

This invention relates to an animal trap or mole trap which is ofsimplified construction but very effective in action.

One of the objects of the present invention is to produce a mole trap ofthis type which is made of stampings and in which the parts are made induplicate to facilitate quantity production; to provide a quick actingpositively operating trap of the scissors type; to provide a tripmechanism of the toggle type whereby the strong springs used in closingthe trap are also used to set the releasable trip mechanism and the trapis self setting.

Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this inventionsuch as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the relatedelements of the structure, to various details of construction and tocombinations of parts, elements per se, and to economics of manufactureand numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration ofthe specification and drawing of a form of the invention, which may bepreferred, in which:

Figure I is an end elevation showing the trap in set position, portionsshown in section;

Figure II is a similar View showing the jaws closed;

Figure III is a side elevational view.

Referring to Figures I and III, the main operating blades it are formedby a pair of similar U-shaped stampings I2, the lower ends being pointedfor insertion into the ground and each leg also having saw tooth Cuttingedges I4 and I5. Each leg of one pair of jaws I2 is pivoted by a rivetI! to the opposite pair as indicated in Figures III and I.

Each U-shaped jaw I2 has a connecting top bridge I8 and said bridge isalso provided with a reversed fold or depression 29 to form a base towhich the toggle levers 2| may be pivoted by a rivet 22. The other endof each lever 2| is pivoted to the upper enlarged end 24 of thereleasing arm 25 which depends into the path of the mole. The lower endof arm 25 has an enlarged curved contact pad 21 which receives theimpact of the earth raised as the mole passes through the trap and thearm 25 is thereby ele-' 'vated to spring the jaws of the trap. Theopposed sides of the U-shaped part 20 forms guides for the end portionsof levers 2| thereby steadying the action and strengthening the trap.The bottom of the U fold 20 also forms means for retaining stops 2a tosetting position which the toggle levers 2I assume. As shown in FiguresI and II, this setting stop 28 consists of a screw 2 threaded stud whichmay be screwed into and out of the bottom part of the U to adjust thesetting position of said stop 28 to limit the position of the cross armsor toggle levers 2| which contact the stop 28 as indicated in Figure Iwhen the trap is set.

Secured to each top or bridge of the U-shaped jaws I2 are two springanchors 30 having a right angled, upward extension 3| having an eye towhich one end of each of a pair of springs'32 is secured. The other endof each spring 32 is held in the ear of a similar anchor 38 on the otherjaw. These springs not only form the power for closing the jaws with theanimal trapped therein but springs 32 also hold the toggle levers in setposition with the jaws I2 in open position until the same are releasedby an upward movement of lever or arm 25.

Before setting the trap it is understood that the groundmust be trampeddown to fill the dirt in the runway of the mole. In setting my trap theoperator takes hold ofthe bridge I8 of each of the opposed jaws I2 andpulls them apart against the tension of springs 32 from the position ofFigure II. The toggle levers 2| fall by gravity to just below thesubstantially horizontal position shown in Figure I or until the loweredges of levers 2I contact the setting stop 28. In

this position I have shown in Figure I the mole I run indicated indotted lines as located between the open saw-toothed jaws. The pad 21rests lightly or barely contacts the ground and the levers 2I andconnecting head 24 shown in this position are just below dead center sothat the springs 32 hold the trap in set position with the jaws I2 open,thus making the trap self setting. As a mole comes through the runway,the earth raises and contacts pad 21. This in turn raises head 24 andthe inner ends of levers 2I of the toggle thus springing the trap andthe powerful springs 32 operate to close the blades with their saw toothedges I4 and I5 on the mole since there are two jaws, one ahead and onebehind, the mole will be caught no matter from which direction he passesthrough the runway.

It will be noted that all parts are constructed of simplified stampingsand identical parts are used throughout wherever possible.

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modificationsand different arrange What I claim is: REFERENCES CITED In an ammal trapspaced Integral The following references are of record in the U-shapedmembers, each having a brldge and file of this patent: cooperating jawsformed of cutting blades each having a pointed end for locating saidtrap in 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS the ground; each bridge having acentral, spaced Number Name Date armed, reversed bend; a toggle havinglevers, 472,038 Durston Apr. 5, 1892 one end of each of said leversbeing pivoted to 1,296,407 Layton Mar. 4, 1919 said bends in saidbridges; a depending arm hav- 1,762,783 Kascak June 10, 1930 ing anenlarged head end, the other ends of said 10 1,871,157 Clayton Aug. 9,1932' levers being pivoted to said enlarged head, an 2,043,135 -MygrantsJuly 21, 1936 actuating enlargement on the other end of said arm; and apair of springs connecting said bridges.

CHESTER E. TROUTMAN. 15

